§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps his Department is taking to promote the wearing of helmets by cyclists; [132082]
(2) what representations he has received about making the wearing of helmets by cyclists compulsory; if he will make it his policy to introduce such legislation; and if he will make a statement; [132083]
(3) what assessment he has made of the benefits of cyclists wearing helmets; and if he will make a statement. [132084]
§ Mr. JamiesonWe have a large body of material on cycle safety aimed at younger children promoting the use of cycle helmets as well as other cycle safety messages. We have also developed a Cycle Sense campaign, aimed at teenagers, that was launched on 21 May this year. The campaign encourages teenagers to wear cycle helmets and consists of posters and a new cycle sense website.
A study commissioned by the Department to look into the effectiveness of cycle helmets, published in November last year, found that overall, the evidence suggests that cycle helmets are effective at reducing the severity of brain and upper facial injuries for all ages, and especially children. This reinforces our view that helmets should be worn by children.
239WWe have had correspondence from members of the public asking for helmets to be made compulsory, as well as The Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust and Headway, the brain injury association.
When considering compulsion, we have to take wearing rates into consideration. A survey undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory measuring wearing rate in 2002 found that the rate for all cyclists on built-up major roads was 25 per cent. The wearing rate is continuing to increase, but at this level, making helmets compulsory could cause enforcement difficulties, and without greater public acceptance, could have an effect on levels of cycling. We will continue to monitor wearing rates and review the option of compulsory wearing from time to time.
§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent assessment he has made of the benefits of wearing a bicycle helmet for the prevention of injuries; [132258]
(2) what plans he has to introduce legislation enforcing the wearing of bicycle helmets for those under 16; and if he will make a statement. [132259]
§ Mr. JamiesonA study commissioned by the Department to look into the effectiveness of cycle helmets, published in November last year, found that overall, the evidence suggests that cycle helmets are effective at reducing the severity of brain and upper facial injuries for all ages, and especially children. This reinforces our view that helmets should be worn by children.
A survey undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory measuring wearing rates in 2002 found that the rate for all cyclists on built-up major roads was 25 per cent. The wearing rate is continuing to increase, with the exception of boys under 16, where the rate has reduced from 16 per cent. in 1994 to 12 per cent. in 2002. At these levels, making helmets compulsory would cause enforcement difficulties, and without greater public acceptance, could have an effect on levels of cycling. We are making special efforts to persuade adolescents, and especially boys, to wear helmets. We will continue to monitor wearing rates by all ages and review the option of compulsory wearing from time to time.